www.checkbiotech.org ; www.raupp.info ; www.czu.cz

New surveys suggest that fewer farmers in UK and Germany are opposed to
planting genetically modified crops than is often believed.
47 percent of surveyed farmers in the UK and 33 percent in Germany are
willing to cultivate GM plants. However, 16 percent in the UK and 29 percent
in Germany reject the concept of GM crops, and many farmers are still
undecided.

In the UK, the British Grassland Society polled its members on their
attitude towards GM crops. Surprisingly, strict opposition to GMOs was
expressed by responding farmers among only 16 percent, the half of whom are
producing organic goods. While 47 percent generally favour GM crops, as many
as three-quarters stated that they would grow GM plants if consumers were
willing to buy them. Jessica Buss, director of the society, commented: "We
were surprised that only one-in-eight Grassland farmers responding said that
they would never grow GM forage crops."

In another survey, researchers of the University of Göttingen interviewed
370 farmers in the German north-west. The majority, 38 percent, were
undecided on this issue. However, representing a fairly even split in
decided attitudes, 33 percent of farmers welcomed GM crops and 29 percent
rejected them.

The study also found that besides economic aspects and personal views on
GMOs, many different factors are considered by farmers in their decision on
GM crops.

[www.gmo-compass.org]